Oof.

"I guess you win this one."

"And I got a pretty kitty for my troubles!"

"Don't count your kittens before they hatch."

She laughs. "You don't think you're a pretty kitty, then?"

"Maaaybe. Maaaybe you haven't 'got' me."

"How do I get you then?"

She taps her nose.

"It's a mystery. For now."

"You planning to get me first?"

Ellie smiles.

Heeeeee.

She flops towards Ellie.

"I'll try not to be too easy a quarry, then."

She hums and starts petting Ruby's hair.

She very quickly has a purring tiger leaning against her.

All according to plan.

Tiger Ruby is a lot heavier than human Ruby, and apparently thinks she's a lap cat.

As much of her as will fit, anyway.

"So how'd you do that hiding thing? I couldn't see you anywhere."

Nuzzle.

"I took off my bracelet, first. Makes me look like anyone else. Then I blended a bit extra - and stuck to crowds. Course, the invisibility when close to you was something a bit different."

"Blended extra? Without your artifact?"

Mmmmmmmmm yes right behind that ear...

"Yeah. Quickest way to kill a girl's stealing her artifact. Everything's harder without it - unless you really practice."

Scritch scritch.

"I'll have to work on that. I saw the magical girl here. She was in the library."

"Hm. Did she attack?"

"No, but I didn't get very close."

Purrrrr.

"We'll be careful of her. Not a challenge we're not up to, though."

"Yeah. Especially together."

"Mmmm. Best team there is." She leans into one chin scritch, then headbutts Ellie.

"Pff! Hey!"